Nipissing appoints Dr. Aziz Douai as Provost and Vice-President, Academic

North Bay, ON – Nipissing University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Aziz Douai as its next Provost and Vice-President, Academic for a five-year term, effective September 1, 2026.

Dr. Douai will join Nipissing from the University of Regina, where he has served as the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research for the past five years. In this role, Dr. Douai enhanced the graduate student experience for more than 2,400 students and strengthened the university’s research profile. While at the University of Regina, he founded the Graduate Advanced Training and Entrepreneurship (GATE) Centre, and also served as Executive Lead on the institution’s Strategic Planning Committee. Earlier in his career, Dr. Douai held various decanal leadership appointments at Ontario Tech University.

“Dr. Douai’s academic leadership experience, collaborative approach, and deep commitment to student success will be invaluable in the role of Provost,” said. Dr. Kevin Wamsley, President and Vice-Chancellor, Nipissing University. “We look forward to welcoming Dr. Douai to the Nipissing community as we advance our mission and strengthen Nipissing’s reputation for academic excellence and an exceptional student experience.”

Dr. Douai is an accomplished scholar, researcher, and recipient of numerous prestigious awards and competitive grants including a Fulbright Scholarship, and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) research grants. He has authored over 50 academic works on Arab media, political conflict, and global communication. His research focuses on disruptive communication technologies, international communication and conflict, and media and politics in the Middle East and North Africa. Dr. Douai holds a PhD in Mass Communications from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Science in Advertising from Boston University.  

"I am very excited to join Nipissing University (NU) and serve as its next Provost and Vice-President Academic,” said Dr. Douai. “NU enjoys a distinguished reputation for delivering high-quality, student-centered education for the North in the North. I look forward to collaborating with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader community to advance our strategic priorities, and enhance student success, teaching innovation, and research excellence."

Dr. Douai is a founding member of the Center on Hate, Bias and Extremism, a Senior Research Affiliate at the Canadian Research Network for Terrorism, Security and Society, and a member of the Digital Life Institute.

Dr. Douai will concurrently hold a tenured appointment as Professor within Nipissing University’s Faculty of Arts and Science.

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Media Contact:

Carly Johnston
Communications Officer
Nipissing University
(705) 474-3450 (ext. 4035)
communications@nipissingu.ca